NSG, NDRF, FSL, AAIB and DGCA teams investigate Air India aircraft

Ahmedabad, June 14: Teams of National Security Guard (NSG), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Air Force, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Fire rescue forces, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) ON Saturday inspected the wreckage of the ill-fated London-bound Air India 171 flight.

Meanwhile, residents of the neighbourhood where the plane crashed recalled their horrific experience and said that it felt like an earthquake or a bomb blast for the first few moments.

Speaking to ANI, Rekha Kshtriya, a woman who has lived in the area for over 13 years, said she was doing her usual chores when she first heard a loud noise. She immediately came outside and rushed to the crash site.

"... Around 1.30 PM, we heard a loud noise. Although we are accustomed to hearing loud noises, this time, it felt like our eardrums would burst. It seemed like an earthquake. Our house, our dining table, everything was shaking violently. The sound seemed like that of a bomb blast. Then we went outside and learned a plane had crashed... We saw broken pieces of the aircraft spread everywhere. The whole sky was filled with black smoke. High flames were rising everywhere," she told ANI.

Priyanshu, another resident sharing his experience of that day, said, "The area was filled with black smoke. I was at home. Fire spread from one building to another... I felt like an earthquake or a bomb blast.

"A resident, Bahadur Kshatriy, living about 500 metres from the crash site said he, along with his friends and security personnel, helped rescue five people from the rubble. However, he noted that the survivors were in critical condition.

"... My house is 500m from the crash site. I heard a loud bang. First, I wondered if it was a massive storm or earthquake... The people were shouting that a plane had crashed. When I went and saw, there was smoke everywhere. There was fire all around. We went up to the mess where students were shouting for help. Along with Army personnel, we rescued five students alive from the debris. But they were in an extremely serious condition... Then we thought that there could be someone stuck under the debris downstairs. We found a body in an awful condition..."," he said.

The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airline said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash.

Reader Comments

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Rahul P.

Shocking tragedy! 😢 The way local residents immediately rushed to help shows the true Indian spirit. But serious questions need to be asked - how did a modern Dreamliner crash like this? DGCA must conduct the most thorough investigation possible.

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Priya M.

My heart goes out to the victims' families. The eyewitness accounts are terrifying - imagine going through this trauma in your own neighborhood. Authorities should provide counseling to affected residents along with crash investigation updates.

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Amit K.

Good to see all agencies working together - NSG, NDRF, AAIB etc. But why does India still depend on Boeing aircraft when we have capable domestic options? Time to seriously consider more flights using our own regional jets where possible.

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Sunita R.

The bravery of local people like Bahadur who helped in rescue is commendable 🙏 But airport authorities must explain why the plane crashed in a residential area. Are safety norms being followed properly near our airports? This could have been much worse.

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Vikram S.

While the investigation is important, let's not forget the single survivor needs our prayers and best medical care. Hope Air India provides full support to all affected families. Such incidents shake confidence in air travel - hope the final report brings clarity.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.